About

Canada has a history of scootering from the West coast to the Maritimes and all points in between.

During the early 80's major cities like Montreal, Toronto, Hamilton, Calgary and Vancouver played roles in the popularity of Vespas courtesy of The Who's film Quadrophenia.

There were different groups that rode Vespas from Mods, skinheads, uni and of course scooter boys (Canada's version). There were many rallies in Southern Ontario, specifically Niagara Falls, and all parts in between as well as Mod nights in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

It's the enthusiasm of Vespa lovers/owners that make this community thrive. Whether it's a slick paint scheme, modded out scoots, go-fast scoots or bog standard it's the rider that makes it their own.

Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Halifax have clubs that continue to hold rallies as well as Vancouver, with their mild winters allowing year-round scootering.
As the scooter culture grew across the nation, local clubs quickly formed to better meet the needs of their local scootering community.

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History

The Vespa has had a long and glorious history full of ups and downs. Today there is a reassurance in interest in the Vespa. Take a walk through the history of the Vespa.

1884

Before Vespa

Founded by Rinaldo Piaggio in 1884, Piaggio initially produced locomotives and railway carriages. During World War I the company focused on producing aircraft.

1940

Piaggio makes bombers

Piaggio is commissioned by the Italian government to supply their air force with bomber aircraft. The Allies bomb the plants in WWII. After the war Italy was forced to cease manufacturing fighter planes.

1946

The Vespa (Wasp) is born

Aeronautical engineer, Corradinio D’Ascanio sold the design he was working on for an inexpensive scooter to Piaggio for the Italian population needing a cheap form of transportation. It is called the Vespa.

1950

Vespas shipped to Canada

Vespas were shipped to North America via navy ships when sailors
were posted and/or docked in Italy. They ended up in cities across Canada.

Douglas Vespa in the UK imported the first Vespas to Canada. They were sold at Dupuis et Frères Retail Store in Montreal. Then the first Allstate available in Canada was in 1953. Sold until 1966.

The official distributor in Canada was a bicycle shop in Montreal, Louis Quilicot, until 1974, then it went with Vespa Newline in Toronto, with Giancarlo.

1960

The Mod Scene

The birth of the Mod scene in England with The Who, the Kinks, The Small Faces
and many more R&B bands at the forefront of music listened to by young Mods. Mods were
smart dressers with the latest Italian suits and shoes. Some started buying Vespas (and
Lambrettas) to be able to get around to Mod clubs and events. It was also to
show off the latest fashion, what they wore and what their "modded-up" scooter wore.

1967

Super Cruisaire Allstate

Sears brought in a few Vespas in 1952 as a test of the market. These sold so well that Sears decided to begin full scale sales. The Sears Vespas were dubbed the "Super Cruisaire Allstate" and were sold from 1952 to 1967. The last year of sales in 1966-67 the Allstate was simply called the "Sears" scooter.

1980

The Second Mod Movement

The Mod Revival came about with the release of The Who’s film Quadrophenia set in the heyday of the Mod scene in England 1964-65. As a result of this film there
were many Mod revival bands such as The Jam, Purple Hearts, The Lambrettas and more that
complemented Quadrophenia. Teens took to the sounds of these bands, the Mod look, the
sounds of the two-stroke Vespa (and Lambretta), the music and the Modded-up look of the scooters.

1981

Many Vespa shops close across North America

Piaggio leaves the North American market due to strict American emission laws. Closing some shops across Canada and the USA.

1985

Many owners are left with out mechanical support.

Some shops across Canada had left-over parts but were hard to locate. This was well before the internet, eBay
and Google. You had to know someone who knew someone with extra parts or you
mailed a letter to shops in the UK. A UK scooter magazine started publishing in the early 80’s,
called Scooter Scenenow called Scootering with ads for scooter shops that sold parts
internationally.

1990's

Keeping the spirit alive

Vancouver and Toronto were the major cities with the larger populations of Vespa
owners were keeping the Vespa spirit alive.

2000

The Canadian Scooter Corp is formed

The Canadian Scooter Corp was created and started opening up shops across
Canada with the city’s name attached i.e. Vespa Halifax, Vespa Burlington, Vespa Calgary etc.
These shops sold various models (including the ET2 and ET4 models) which were quieter and
automatic. These shops sold Vespa-branded products from clothing to books, helmets,
baggage for scooters and scooter accessories. The last geared Vespa, the PX150,
was imported as late as 2005 into Canada. They were a limited edition and each PX150 came
with a numbered plaque attached on the scooter.

New and vintage Vespas on the road

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Other Local Scooter Clubs

Below are scooter clubs in your community. If you don't see one in your community, start a club yourself!

Sponsors

The following businesses offer our members a discount of service, tires or parts.If you know of or own a local business that would be interested in becoming "sponsor" at some level please contact president@vespaclubofcanada.com.

Offers subject to change without notice. Please enquire with business before purchase.

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Join Vespa Club of Canada

Be part of Canada’s national club that’s been in existence for over 20 years dedicated to the preservation of the Vespa scooter.

Why Join?

Exchange ideas, attend rallies, share opinions on various Vespa models, their parts, accessories and join a community of like minded Vespa riders.

The Vespa Club of Canada is a non-profit club and proud to be a member in good standing with Vespa World Club (previously known as the Federation International des Vespa Clubs or F.I.V.).

What is included?

You will recieve a membership card, club patch, club decal and discounts to
Vespa-friendly shops and parts suppliers across Canada.

As a member you can attend the Vespa World Club’s annual event Vespa World Days under
the Vespa Club of Canada banner*. Various cities host this event and they are as follows: St.
Tropez France 2016; Celle Germany 2017; Belfast Ireland 2018 (TBC)